Stapling tool for cattle

ABSTRACT

The present invention comprises a veterinary stapling tool or implement, and stapling means therefor, useful for maintaining the vagina of an animal in place during labor. The implement resembles a long-handled pliers, but includes a relief area for vagina tissue and, among other features, unique, spaced, nose or lip portions which are constructed to receive and subsequently release a unique staple assembly; the latter comprises a staple having a plate and also a corresponding, apertured plate over which the staple legs are crimped.

United States Patent [72] Inventor Mark S. Johnson RID. Holden, Utah 84636 [21] Appl, No 268 [22] Filed Jan. 2, 1970 [45] Patented Aug. 10, 1971 [54] STAPLING TOOL FOR CATTLE 4 Claims, 7 Drawing Figs.

[52] US. Cl. 227/144, 227/15, 227/19 [51] Int. Cl. B25c 5/02 [501 FieldolSea-d: ..227/l5, 144

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 352.410 11/1886 Howell 227/144 516,228 3/1894 Shailer 227/144 1,474,547 11/1923 Pannier 227/15 1,556,088 10/1925 Dougherty.... 227/144 3,013,269 12/1961 Brierley 227/144 Primary Examiner-Granville Y. Custer, Jr. Attorney-M. Ralph Shaffer ABSTRACT: The present invention comprises a veterinary stapling tool or implement, and stapling means therefor, useful for maintaining the vagina of an animal in place during labor. The implement resembles a long-handled pliers, but includes a relief area for vagina tissue and, among other features, unique, spaced, nose or lip portions which are constructed to receive and subsequently release a unique staple assembly; the latter comprises a staple having a plate and also a corresponding, apertured plate over which the staple legs are crimped.

PATENTED AUG 1 0 I97! F/CiZA FIG-16 mvmToR Mark S. Johnson His Attorney STAPLING TOOL FOR CATTLE The present invention relates to veterinary tools and, more particularly, comprises a new and improved veterinary implement, for retaining the vagina tissue of an animal in place, this to aid delivery during birth.

In the cattle industry, for example, from 2 to 4 percent of any given herd of cows or heifers will have difficulty at calving time because of physical distortion and, oftentimes, tuming inside out" of the vagina before the calf is born. This condition generally occurs, for heifers so afflicted, at a time approximately 2 to 4 weeks before the calf is due. The normal practice in the field has been to manually place the vagina in normal position and then sew the lips of the vagina together, to await the time the cow starts her labor. At this time, the stitches are cut so that she can deliver her calf. Finally, to be completely safe, the rancher must watch the cow or heifer until after the afterbirth comes, at which time the lips of the vagina are again sewn together. Once a cow has this difficulty, more likely than not she will experience the same difficulty for later pregnancies.

To correct this problem, the inventor provides a stapling device with a staple means for animals having such difficulty. The staple assembly may remain in place to identify the cow as to later pregnancies and also to permanently correct this condition. In a preferred use of the invention, the staple is disposed on the inside of the vagina and the staple legs are urged through the vagina tissue as well as fine muscle area proximate the Iliacforamen. At this point the staple plate of the assembly, disposed on the outside of the animal and next to the hide, will be provided with holes through which the staple legs pass and are crimped. The implement has a suitable nose wherein the forward, nose or lip areas thereof are contoured to releasably retain the stapling means. For cows, the device should be dimensioned such that the staple and plate are carried about I inches forwardly, this to make sure that the outside jaw of the stapling implement can be disposed exactly in place; proper pressure on the handles of the implement will force the staple through the vagina tissue and the thin muscle area above-identified so that this tissue is permanently secured in place inside the animal without damaging the tissue.

Accordingly, a principal object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved veterinary implement for animals.

An additional object is to provide an improved staple assembly.

An additional object is to provide a veterinary implement which is useable for securing vagina tissue in place within animals.

A further object is to provide a method to correct an improper vagina condition of animals and, additionally, tag or identify such animals as having such condition.

An additional object is to provide for a new and improved veterinary stapling implement which can be easily placed and used, the same being provided with means such that stapling apparatus can be readily attached to and likewise disassociated from the tool.

The features of the present invention which are believed to be novel are set forth with particularity in the appended claims.

The present invention, both as to its organization and manner of operation, together with further objects and advantages thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a veterinary stapling implement of the present invention.

FIG. 2A is an exploded view of a staple assembly used with the tool or implement of the present invention.

FIG. 2B is a perspective view of the structure of FIG. 2A when the same is secured together.

FIG. 3 illustrates initial placement of the tool or implement, with stapling assembly components being releasably secured to the tool, and this immediately prior to crimping of the tool to set or secure the staple assembly together.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of the forward end of the tool shown in Figure 3 after the handle portions of the tool have been squeezed together.

FIG. 5 illustrates the structure of FIG. 4 after the crimping function has been completed and the plate of the stapling assembly released from the tool so that the remaining portion of the stapling assembly may be disassociated therefrom.

FIG. 6 illustrates a representative area at each of opposite sides of the vagina tissue of the animal after the same has been stapled in a manner and by the means of the present invention.

In FIG. I the tool IQ of the present invention includes an implement half 11 and an implement half 12. Implement half 11 includes elongate handle portion 13 which is contiguously and integrally formed with lateral pivot extension portion 14 and elongate bridge portion 15. The latter terminates in a forward lip 16. Implement half 12, in a somewhat corresponding fashion, includes elongate handle portion 17, a widened pivot portion 18, and an elongate bridge portion I9 terminating in a forward lip base 20. The two implement halves II and 12 are pivotally secured :together, via respective apertures (not shown), by suitable attachment 21 such as a pivot screw 22 and nut 23. Stop finger 24 is provided and includes threaded portion 25 threaded into boss 26, associated with implement half 12. It is noted that the elongate bridge portions 15 and 19 are relatively thin as to lateral cross section and define at their interior peripheries 27 and 28 an enlarged, tissue relief area. Ring 29 forms a closure ring and includes opposite ends 30 and 31, for example, which seat into aperture 32. An upturned nub 33 may operate to retain the ring 29 when the same is closed. Stop finger 24 delimits the minimum distance at this point between the opposite elongate handle portions I3 and I7 and, correspondingly, delimits the minimum disposition spacing between forward lip 16 and forward lip base 20, hereinafter explained.

The details of the forward lip 16 and forward lip base 20 are important. It is seen that the forward lip 16 has provided at its lower surface 34 a rectangular recessed area 35 provided preferably with straight edge areas 36. Likewise, a drilled and tapped aperture 37 is provided as seen in FIG. 1. Recessed area 35 accommodates a plate 38 which forms part of a composite staple attachment 39, as shown in FIG. 28. Plate 38 is provided with a drilled and tapped aperture 40 as seen in FIG. 2, the same being disposed centrally of provided apertures 4i and 42. The latter two apertures receive the opposite legs 43 and 44 of staple 45, the latter also including staple plate base 46. Staple base 46 is preferably formed to comprise essentially a plate. When the staple 45 engages plate 38 and the staple legs 43 and 44 are bent or crimped over the same, then the configuration shown in FIG. 28 will be obtained. Thumbscrew 47 includes knurled thumb-and-finger portion 48 and also threaded end 49 of reduced cross-sectional diameter. It is this threaded portion 49 which is received in aperture 37 to engage the threaded aperture 40, of plate 38 in FIG. 2A.

Forward lip base 20 is seen to include a longitudinal, undercut slot 50 having open area SI which provides relief for legs 43 and 44 of staple 45.

The structure as thus far described operates as follows. The implement shown in FIG. I is initially supplied and is provided with the staple components of FIG. 2A, namely, the staple plate 38 and the staple itself, staple 45. Plate 38 will be disposed in the recessed area 35 of forward lip I6 and will be releasably secured in place by the knurled thumbscrew 47. The latter, asheretofor explained, threadedly engages the threaded aperture 40 by a threaded stud 49; by the same the plate 38 is secured in place.

In a corresponding, though slightly different manner, the staple 45 of FIG. 2A is inserted, in a direction front to rear, into undercut slot 50 of forward lip base 20; the slot 50 is disposed longitudinally, as illustrated in FIG. I, wherein the staple legs 43 and 44 are disposed centrally in upstanding fashion and in alignment with apertures 41 and 42. It is to be noted that the recessed area 35 and undercut slot 50 will be so dimensioned that the staple plate 38 and staple 45 may be easily disassociated from the respective forward lip (or for ward lip base) of the implement.

At this point, the user will enlarge with one hand the vagina opening of the animal being treated and, by his other hand, will grasp the tool and manipulate the same such that the elongate bridge portion 19 of the tool is inserted through the vagina opening, with staple secured, whereas the elongate bridge portion 50 will be advanced forwardly on the outside of the animal and next to its hide.

When the tool is properly placed, then the user will grip the two elongate handle portions 13 and 17 together such that the staple legs will penetrate into the vagina and muscle area above identified, at which point the staple legs 43 and 44 will enter into apertures 41 and 42 of plate 38.

On close examination of forward lip 16 of the tool it will be seen that a second recessed area 35A is provided. This recessed area may simply take the form of a longitudinal groove or guide along which the ends of the staple legs are advanced as the staple is being crimped, through the squeezing together of the implement s handles. The tool and staple assembly will be dimensioned such that when complete crimping of the staple has been accomplished the ends will be mutually advanced together as shown in FIG. 4, with the space therebetween clearing the threaded aperture receiving thumb screw 47. See FIG. 4.

The prior discussion relates specifically to the subject matter of FIG. 3, wherein advancement of the tool is indicated such that the staple associated with forward lip base 20 is appropriately positioned inside the animal immediately prior to closure of the implement at the lip area.

FIG. 4 illustrates the condition of the tool after the elongate handle portions have been squeezed together such that edge 24A of stop finger 24 engages elongate handle portion 13. At this point, the thumbscrew 47 is backed off, so that the same disengages from the staple plate 38. Hence, when the elongate handle portions 13 and 17 are manually spread apart, the plate 38 will lift out of recessed area 35. The withdrawing of the implement will be accompanied by a sliding out of staple 45 from undercut slot 50 in the manner shown in FIG. 5. The completed function, with the tool having been completely withdrawn from the staple assembly, will leave a condition of the vagina tissue being secured to the side of the animal by the staple assembly, the plate 38 thereof being disposed on the outside of the animal and next to its hide. Undue restriction of the distance D between the staple base 46 and the staple plate 38, and consequent tissue damage, is avoided as, in fact, this distance is controlled through the appropriate adjustment of stop finger 24, via its threads.

Of course, when the tool is not in use, the same may be stored with the closure ring 29 being snapped in place in the manner indicated.

What is provided, therefore, is a veterinary implement or tool and also staple assembly associated therewith, wherein an implement and staple means are provided for correctly positioning the vagina, inside of an animal, such that the vagina opening is sufficient for delivery. A stapling function will be accomplished on opposite sides of the vagina to ensure that the opening will be sufficient. Furthermore, there is no harm in leaving the stapling means in place after birth. Rather, a useful function is performed in permanently marking or tagging the animal, identifying the same as one that may have had previous labor difficulty.

While particular embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that changes and modifications may be made without departing from this invention in its broader aspects.

1 claim:

1. A veterinary stapling implement for replacing and securing a prolapsed va ina within female cattle, includ ing, in combination, a pair 0 implement halves each including an elongate handle portion, a pivot portion contiguous with said handle portion, an elongate bridge portion extending forwardly of said pivot portion, and forward lip means extending forwardly of and being integral with said bridge portion, one of said lip means being provided with a recessed seat dimensioned to slideably and releasably receive an external staple, the remaining lip means being provided with means for releasably retaining an external staple plate to be secured to said staple upon the squeezing of said handle portions together; and means engaging said pivot portions for pivotally securing said implement halves together, said elongate bridge portions each being arcuately formed and mutually defining an enlarged area therebetween even when said implement is closed to provide a relief area for muscle and tissue proximate the tail of cattle to be treated, and said lip means being mutually spaced apart to provide a tissue relief area.

2. Structure according to claim 1 wherein said recessed seat of said one lip means comprises an undercut slot for receiving a plate-type staple.

3. Structure according to claim 1 wherein said retaining means of said remaining lip means comprises threaded attachment means for releasably and threadedly retaining said staple plate to said remaining lip means.

4. Structure according to claim 1 wherein said remaining lip means is provided a recessed seat for receiving said staple plate, and a longitudinal, staple-leg-receiving groove contiguous with and backing said seat and constructed for receiving the legs of an exterior. 

1. A veterinary stapling implement for replacing and securing a prolapsed vagina within female cattle, including, in combination, a pair of implement halves each including an elongate handle portion, a pivot portion contiguous with said handle portion, an elongate bridge portion extending forwardly of said pivot portion, and forward lip means extending forwardly of and being integral with said bridge portion, one of said lip means being provided with a recessed seat dimensioned to slideably and releasably receive an external staple, the remaining lip means being provided with means for releasably retaining an external staple plate to be secured to said staple upon the squeezing of said handle portions together; and means engaging said pivot portions for pivotally securing said implement halves together, said elongate bridge portions each being arcuately formed and mutually defining an enlarged area therebetween even when said implement is closed to provide a relief area for muscle and tissue proximate the tail of cattle to be treated, and said lip means being mutually spaced apart to provide a tissue relief area.
 2. Structure according to claim 1 wherein said recessed seat of said one lip means comprises an undercut slot for receiving a plate-type staple.
 3. Structure according to claim 1 wherein said retaining means of said remaining lip means comprises threaded attachment means for releasably and threadedly retaining said staple plate to said remaining lip means.
 4. Structure according to claim 1 wherein said remaining lip means is provided a recessed seat for receiving said staple plate, and a longitudinal, staple-leg-receiving groove contiguous with and backing said seat and constructed for receiving the legs of an exterior staple.
 2. Structure according to claim 1 wherein said recessed seat of said one lip means comprises an undercut slot for receiving a plate-type staple.
 3. Structure according to claim 1 wherein said retaining means of said remaining lip means comprises threaded attachment means for releasably and threadedly retaining said staple plate to said remaining lip means.
 4. Structure according to claim 1 wherein said remaining lip means is provided a recessed seat for receiving said staple plate, and a longitudinal, staple-leg-receiving groove contiguous with and backing said seat and constructed for receiving the legs of an exterior staple. 